Back in the day, I used to head straight for the kitchen cupboards first thing in the morning, but over the years I've refined my a.m. routine. I now enjoy a glass of water before anything else. At some point, I started adding lemon to my water for taste and its health benefits. And most recently, I've started adding pink Himalayan salt. Nope, I'm not doing it to "detox". Here's why I choose lemon/pink salt water first thing in the morning {recipe follows}:

BENEFITS OF LEMON

Aids with digestion​/Helps keep you regular.

Vitamin C, Antioxidants, Potassium

Linked to benefits with blood circulation.

Can help prevent/treat kidney stones.​

It supports weight loss {keyword: supports}.

CONS: Although lemon water is awesome for your health, it's not so great for your teeth. The acid can damage your tooth enamel. Brush your teeth before having your lemon water or wait an hour after having it before brushing. If you also have a morning coffee, it's a good idea to stick to that same plan.

"Pink Himalayan salt is a pink-colored salt extracted from the Khewra Salt Mine, which is located near the Himalayas in Pakistan. ...the natural harvesting process allows pink Himalayan salt to possess many other minerals and trace elements that are not found in regular table salt." - Healthline

BENEFITS OF PINK HIMALAYAN SALT

Compared to regular table salt, Himalayan salt does not usually contain additives.

Some say the taste is better than regular table salt.

The body needs sodium to function properly.

Potassium, magnesium, and calcium.

Salt aids with hydration.

CONS: Although we all need sodium in our diets, it's important to monitor our intake so we don't overdo it. Health Canada recommends a daily maximum intake of 2300 mg for the average Canadian. Full guidelines by age group and gender can be found here.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: There isn't much of a difference between regular salt and pink Himalayan salt- the biggest advantage to going for the pink salt is that, as mentioned above, it will probably have less additives making it a more pure option for your morning lemon drink.

Mix well. I drink this first thing in the morning before breakfast and coffee. Don't forget the note about waiting an hour or so before brushing your teeth. If this is not possible, brush your teeth first thing in the morning {usually a good practice anyway!}.